You're ready to ditch paper business cards and go digital. Smart move. But now you're facing a choice: should you share your card via QR code or NFC tap?
The answer isn't as simple as "one is better than the other." Each has distinct advantages, and the best networkers use both strategically. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice for your situation.
What's the Difference?
QR Codes are scannable images that anyone can read with their phone's camera app. No special hardware required — just point and shoot.
NFC (Near Field Communication) is tap-based technology embedded in physical cards, stickers, or phone accessories. You tap your card against someone's phone, and your digital profile opens instantly.
Both accomplish the same goal: getting your digital business card into someone's hands. But they do it very differently.
QR Codes: Universal, Versatile, Visual
Advantages
Works on literally any smartphone. Every iPhone since 2017 and virtually every Android device can scan QR codes natively through the camera app. No app download required.
Extremely versatile placement. You can put a QR code:
- On your phone's lock screen
- In your email signature
- On conference booth displays
- On presentation slides
- On printed materials
- On your website as an embed widget
Works at any distance. Someone across the room can scan your QR code from a presentation slide or banner. You don't need to be within arm's reach.
Perfect for events. At conferences and trade shows, you can display one QR code that hundreds of people can scan without any physical contact. This was crucial during COVID and remains incredibly efficient for high-volume networking.
Easy analytics tracking. When people scan your code, you get detailed engagement data showing who scanned, when, and what they clicked on your card.
Disadvantages
Requires the camera. People need to open their camera app and point it at your code. It takes 3-5 seconds, which can feel slightly awkward in fast-paced networking situations.
Less impressive. QR codes are ubiquitous now. They're practical but not particularly memorable or high-tech feeling.
Can look cluttered. QR codes are visually complex. If you're trying to maintain a minimalist aesthetic, they might not fit your brand.
NFC: Slick, Fast, Futuristic
Advantages
Incredibly fast. The tap-to-share experience is instant. Hold your NFC card near their phone, tap, and your profile opens in under a second. It feels magical.
Premium perception. NFC business cards feel more sophisticated and tech-forward. They signal that you're ahead of the curve.
No visual clutter. An NFC-enabled physical card can look exactly like a traditional business card — clean, minimal, branded — but with hidden tech inside.
Great for one-on-one interactions. In professional meetings, client consultations, or VIP networking, the tap experience creates a memorable moment.
Disadvantages
Not universal. While most modern smartphones support NFC, the feature needs to be enabled, and some budget Android phones don't include it. Older iPhones (pre-2019) have limited NFC reading capabilities.
Requires physical proximity. You need to be within a few centimeters of someone's phone. This doesn't work for group settings or distance sharing.
Requires a physical medium. You need an actual NFC card, tag, or accessory. This adds cost ($5-50 per card) and means you can run out of cards.
Limited placement options. You can't put NFC in an email signature, on a website, or on a presentation slide. It only works in person.
Potential confusion. Some people don't know what NFC is or how to use it. You might need to explain the tap action, which kills the "magic."
The Secret Weapon: Apple Wallet & Google Wallet
Here's what most people miss in the QR vs NFC debate — there's a third option that combines the best of both, and it's already on your phone.
With Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration, your digital business card lives right alongside your credit cards and boarding passes. This changes the game because:
It's always accessible. No app to open, no website to bookmark. Your card is one swipe away from your lock screen — ready to share at a moment's notice.
It works with NFC built in. On iPhones and most Android devices, you can share your wallet pass via NFC tap — no separate NFC card to buy or carry. Your phone is the NFC card.
It works offline. Unlike a web-based card that needs an internet connection, a wallet pass is stored locally on the device. Perfect for networking in basements, convention centers with spotty WiFi, or anywhere connectivity is unreliable.
Recipients keep it forever. When someone saves your card to their wallet, it doesn't get buried in browser history or lost in a text thread. It stays in their wallet until they deliberately remove it — which almost nobody does.
It updates automatically. Change your phone number or job title? Update your card on BusinessCards.io and the wallet pass refreshes on every device that saved it. No need to re-share.
BusinessCards.io supports both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet — not just one or the other. That means every prospect can save your card regardless of whether they're on iPhone or Android. Many competitors only support Apple Wallet, leaving Android users out in the cold.
See how Wallet integration works →
The Verdict: Which Should You Use?
Here's the truth: the best approach uses all three — QR, NFC, and Wallet — together.
Use QR codes for:
- Conferences and events where you're meeting dozens of people quickly
- Digital placements like email signatures, websites, and social media
- Presentations and speaking engagements where people are at a distance
- Printed materials like brochures, flyers, or yard signs
- Group settings where multiple people need access simultaneously
Use NFC for:
- High-value one-on-one meetings with clients, investors, or VIP contacts
- Professional settings where you want to make a premium impression
- Situations where pulling out phones is awkward (you can tap while shaking hands)
- Creating a memorable experience that differentiates you from everyone else handing out paper cards
Use Wallet passes for:
- Long-term follow-up — your card stays in their wallet for months or years
- Instant sharing from your phone — no separate NFC card needed, just tap
- Ensuring your info stays current — wallet passes update automatically
- Covering both platforms — Apple Wallet for iPhone users, Google Wallet for Android
How BusinessCards.io Brings It All Together
Most platforms force you to choose. BusinessCards.io gives you QR codes, NFC sharing, and Apple & Google Wallet passes — all included in every plan.
Here's what a typical networking flow looks like:
- At an event: Share your QR code from your phone or a printed display — dozens of people scan it in minutes
- In a 1-on-1 meeting: Tap your phone to theirs via NFC for that instant, premium impression
- After the interaction: They save your card to Apple or Google Wallet, keeping your info accessible forever
- Weeks later: They swipe to your wallet pass and tap your number to call — no searching through emails or business card stacks
Every share is tracked through built-in analytics, so you know exactly who engaged with your card and what they clicked. Pair that with lead capture to collect contact info from the people who view your card, and you've got a complete networking pipeline.
Plans start at just $3/month with a 7-day free trial. Create your digital business card and start sharing via QR, NFC, and Wallet today.
Get started free →